Chapter Ten
Ready or Not
"I don't know you. But I want you all the more for that. And words fall through me. And always fool me. And I can't react. And games that never amount to more than they're meant. Will play themselves out..." ~ The Frames
"Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all. But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall. Lend me your eyes I can change what you see. But your soul you must keep, totally free..." ~ Mumford & Sons
"Above all these words and promises we couldn't keep, Together we will fly above it all. But sometimes we will fall...From the light. But it shines on us tonight...And together we will rise..." ~ The Frames
It was a rainy day outside, the weather murky and dull, as rain sloshed against the windows and the house shook with gale force winds. I loved this type of weather.
It was the perfect time to stay in bed and have some fun. I collapsed on my back, sweaty and out of breath. I turned on my stomach, tugging my hands in under the pillow, facing Jax. He followed my lead and turned on his side, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers softly brushing against my cheek.
Jax gave me his charming smile making my heart beat just that little bit faster.
I returned the smile feeling content. I couldn't remember the last time I felt so happy.
Jax ran his fingers down my back and began tracing the tattoos on my spine, his touch tickling. There was a line of red roses, starting on my lower back and going up along my spine, stopping midway. Jax started with the rose on the small of my back, taking his time to trace every single one of them. There were eight of them.
Jax traced the last rose, resting his hand on the small of my back again. He had so many questions, but asked none. He looked up and fixed his eyes on my face. He smiled and leaned closer kissing me. I kissed back running my hands down his torso. Jax pulled me closer our legs interweaving, and rolled over positioning himself between my legs. The kiss intensified every thrust of our tongues sparking lust. I gave in allowing myself to melt into Jax, our bodies meshing together.
I made my way across the street towards the Post Office on the other side of the street.
I took off my sunglasses, holding them in my right hand, pushing the door open with my left. I walked inside and was greeted by Norman the clerk.
Norman ran the Post Office with his lovely wife Hattie. Norman's sixty-two, with neatly combed gray hair, soft brown eyes, and the friendliest smile.
"Hey Norman." I waved grabbing a magazine, envelopes and stamps.
"Morning, Dr. Winters," he greeted ringing up the items I placed on the counter. "Hattie's sister still visiting?" I asked politely. Norman chuckled.
"Yes and she is driving my poor wife mad," he joked.
"She must be counting the days," I said fishing for my wallet in my over-sized handbag. "She'll miss her once she's gone home."
"Isn't that always the case?" I said, giving Norman the money I owed for my purchase. He took it and handed me my purchased items. "I'll see you later," I said turning around. "Your mail," Norman called after me, bringing me to a halt.
I turned around with a smile and headed back to the counter.
"I almost forgot," he said walking to the back.
"I thought mail day was tomorrow?" I said to the door Norman disappeared through. "Mail day came early," Norman answered, as he came walking through the door a few seconds later with a couple of letters, and a large package.
"People must love me," I joked taking the envelopes.
I placed the letters into the brown paper bag Norman gave me with my purchased items, took the package and tucked it under my arm.
"You must come by for a visit before Hattie's sister leaves," he said as I walked to the door. "Of course," I called over my shoulder with a friendly smile.
I unlocked my car and placed everything on the back seat. I shut the car door, waved to Norman again, walking to the driver's side. I opened my door and stopped.
I shivered, the familiar feeling of someone watching me washing over me. I looked around expecting to see someone looking at me. The street crawled with people, making it almost impossible to spot anyone who might be staring at me. I shook my head and got into my car. It is just your imagination, I told myself starting my car and pulling into traffic.
It was really dark around me, the moon ominous in the sky. I turned around trying to find any indication of light. I heard the crunching of leaves, as footsteps got closer. "You smell so good," a voice said in the dark. The hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up, and a shiver ran down my spine. "Damon?" I asked in a whisper. If it was really him he would have no trouble hearing me. The wind picked up and my hair blew into my face, tickling my skin. Fingers touched my throat, running down the length of my neck. The person pressed their nose against my flesh, inhaling. "I finally found you," he whispered. I closed my eyes preparing myself for what was to come. Teeth pressed against my throat, piercing my skin.
I sat up in bed clutching my neck. I took short painful breaths, my heart hammering in my chest. I struggled to get enough air into my lungs, my eyes unfocused and my chest aching. I removed a shaky hand from my neck and inspected my fingers.
There was no sign of blood. I ran my fingers along my throat inspecting it. My neck seemed to be intact, no wound and no blood. I stumbled out of bed heading to my bathroom and switching on the light. I looked at my neck in the mirror just to make absolutely sure I didn't have any bruising or scarring. There wasn't even a scratch.
It was just a dream. I took a deep breath and sat down on the floor.
I placed my head between my knees feeling sick. I needed to get out of this motel room and into a house. That way no vampire could enter.
With The Assembly using Vampires for their dirty work, I wasn't safe if I continued to stay here. If truth be told I should actually just leave Charming. Running is all I know. I don't know how to be this person. A person who leads a normal life.
Where do I start? That seemed to always be the question. Getting a house was the easy part. It was fitting in that was harder. Starting a new life isn't always that easy.
I have a new name, but that hardly makes for easy living. Starting a new life on one major lie was a recipe for disaster. But what choice did I have? I've made my decisions and now I'd have to live with them. I got up from the floor and walked back into the room, taking a seat by the table. I opened my Laptop switching it on. I double clicked on the internet explorer button and entered a local Real-Estate website.